The Braves pitching staff struggled last year but it was not the fault of McDowell.

Who had to manage a staff that had a dozen pitchers go down to injury last year.

Just about all of those pitchers are healthy and ready to go and so is their coach.

Roger McDowell said "Obviously coming into this spring training there is a lot more comfort between everybody from the standpoint I know them better and they know me better. I know how to talk to them and to communicate with them better."